SEBEV Search and Rescue (SEBEV SAR) is a registered charity and has been providing services to Berkshire & Thames Valley communities since 1980. The main functions of the team are to assist Thames Valley Police in the search for missing persons (such as children and the elderly) in Berkshire and the surrounding counties, and also to provide support for the local authorities and the statutory emergency services during civil emergencies in the area.

The original meaning of SEBEV was South East Berkshire Emergency Volunteers however the full title was dropped in 1994 and the team is now known simply as SEBEV Search & Rescue in order to better reflect our primary role. The team is sometimes referred to as Berkshire Search & Rescue in the media, although this is not our correct name.

The team, based at Easthampstead Park Conference Centre in Wokingham, Berkshire is available 24 hours a day to search for missing persons. The team mainly covers the County of Berkshire, having a close relationship with Thames Valley Police and responding to their requests. The team also assists other SAR teams in neighbouring counties, and likewise other teams will assist SEBEV SAR, in large or prolonged searches. The team has it’s own fully equipped Incident Control Vehicle and an Incident Support Vehicle plus all equipment necessary for Rescue and First Aid purposes.

The SEBEV SAR team is made up wholly of volunteers who manage their time with SEBEV SAR around work and family commitments. New members must undergo a 3 month training programme and successfully complete a Basic Search Techniques course before they can go operational. All necessary training is provided to each member to equip them with the skills required